Hawaii proposed and subsequently passed a bill banning sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate in order to “preserve marine ecosystems.” CPCRN principal investigator, Karen Glanz of the University of Pennsylvania, co-authored an op-ed for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser titled, “Suncreens save lives, have limited impact on coral reefs.” While on sabbatical for the first part of 2018 as a Visiting Professor at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Glanz teamed up with Kevin Cassel, president of the Hawaii Skin Cancer Coalition, on this piece published, March 29, 2018.

Their article caught the attention of the local media and they called on Glanz to present her views on the impact this decision could have on those at risk for skin cancer. She mentions that the higher price for sunscreens that don’t contain those ingredients could prevent people from purchasing those products. “The cost of these so-called reef-friendly products for sunscreen ranges anywhere from two times to as much as six to eight times as much as what is on the shelves now.” She points out that it isn’t just beachgoers that are affected, there are a number of jobs in Hawaii requiring people to work outside and they could be the most at risk.

Click here to continue reading and watch full interviews of Glanz on the topic